NBA Finals conclusions from a C's perspective

[LilRip]

C’s were one of the 4 most talented teams in the playoffs, alongside Denver, Phoenix and Milwaukee. Now, the Bucks got an injured Giannis. The Suns just came together mid-season. And Denver, well, they won it all. Nonetheless, talent wins in this league.

It isn’t disappointing that the C’s lost. It’s how they lost: bad offense compounded by poor effort on both ends. Their home record should’ve never been as poor as it was. Game 7 was the only time I’ll give the team a pass because Tatum got injured, and the team goes as Tatum goes.

[SparzWizard]

Idk about giving them a pass on Game 7 with Tatum injured. Heat had injuries with Tyler Herro and Victor Oladipo too.

We had Jaylen Brown and he obviously folded when the pressure was too high. Isn't he supposed to be the 1b guy or some sort, or even wanted to be "The Guy" on the team? Can't even beat that D-league roster then we were in jeopardy.

[gouki88]

Idk about giving them a pass on Game 7 with Tatum injured. Heat had injuries with Tyler Herro and Victor Oladipo too.

We had Jaylen Brown and he obviously folded when the pressure was too high. Isn't he supposed to be the 1b guy or some sort, or even wanted to be "The Guy" on the team? Can't even beat that D-league roster then we were in jeopardy.

I don't agree with giving them a pass either, given the extent that they collapsed.

But does Tatum = Herro + Oladipo? I think he's slightly more important

[green_bballers13]

Yes, we need to upgrade the front-court. Horford is ancient and Timelord can't stay healthy. KAT's looking for a new home I heard.

Mazz definitely just didn't use his bench...Muscala, Hauser, even Pritchard all just rotting on the bench. They could've helped ease some load even for a couple of minutes. At least we'll get Gallinari back next season, or whatever that is left of him.

Lastly, live by the 3 and die by the 3...that mindset needs to go. The recent NBA champs won by attacking the basket, being physical, playing D, and taking 2's. Need to stop overtaking the 3's esp when it's not falling. It's time to bring back some mix of traditional basketball...get an actual PF/C who can dominate the frontcourt, rim protection, and grab boards. We've been lacking that since KG/Perk days.

Tatum definitely needs to climb on to the next level as our leader. His competition will get tougher moving forward. As for Brown, he looks like a #2 guy not a 1B player. But for me, I'm ready to move on from him...count me in on the #JTJB (Just Trade Jaylen Brown) wagon . Get me Dame or KAT in return.

It's too bad we can't lose Joe, but now he's got some assistants. I'll be gravely disappointed again if we do not win 2024.

I think you would yield a better result working on your disappointment rather than relying on a championship.

I think there are a handful of teams that have a chance to win it all next year: DEN, MIL, BOS, LAL, MIA, CLE, PHX, and LAC. 12.5% chance if you give them even odds. If you rank them, I think the Celtics have a top 3 chance, but not much higher than that.

They are still significantly more likely to not win the championship. Don't believe the Vegas hype. They are a good team, but they're not great.

I'm happy that the Celtics didn't lose to Denver. I felt the same way in 2018 when Lebron's Cavs beat us in Game 7, then proceeded to get swept in the Finals. Had the Celtics won those 2 Game 7's, they would have had 3 recent championship losses. Ugly stuff- ask Buffalo Bills fans.

[Kernewek]

C’s were one of the 4 most talented teams in the playoffs, alongside Denver, Phoenix and Milwaukee. Now, the Bucks got an injured Giannis. The Suns just came together mid-season. And Denver, well, they won it all. Nonetheless, talent wins in this league.

It isn’t disappointing that the C’s lost. It’s how they lost: bad offense compounded by poor effort on both ends. Their home record should’ve never been as poor as it was. Game 7 was the only time I’ll give the team a pass because Tatum got injured, and the team goes as Tatum goes.

Agree with this post, but I do want to clarify that a top four team finishing top four is a pretty decent end to the season, if not what we all hoped for.

[SparzWizard]

Idk about giving them a pass on Game 7 with Tatum injured. Heat had injuries with Tyler Herro and Victor Oladipo too.

We had Jaylen Brown and he obviously folded when the pressure was too high. Isn't he supposed to be the 1b guy or some sort, or even wanted to be "The Guy" on the team? Can't even beat that D-league roster then we were in jeopardy.

I don't agree with giving them a pass either, given the extent that they collapsed.

But does Tatum = Herro + Oladipo? I think he's slightly more important

True, I get ya on that equation.

[Moranis]

Idk about giving them a pass on Game 7 with Tatum injured. Heat had injuries with Tyler Herro and Victor Oladipo too.

We had Jaylen Brown and he obviously folded when the pressure was too high. Isn't he supposed to be the 1b guy or some sort, or even wanted to be "The Guy" on the team? Can't even beat that D-league roster then we were in jeopardy.

I don't agree with giving them a pass either, given the extent that they collapsed.

But does Tatum = Herro + Oladipo? I think he's slightly more important

He also played 42 minutes in the game.  He was clearly hampered by injury, but not so much he couldn't grab 11 rebounds and dish out 4 assists all while generally taking care of the ball to the tune of just 2 turnovers.  obviously 5 of 13 isn't great, but it is also better than zilch. 

[cman88]

Idk about giving them a pass on Game 7 with Tatum injured. Heat had injuries with Tyler Herro and Victor Oladipo too.

We had Jaylen Brown and he obviously folded when the pressure was too high. Isn't he supposed to be the 1b guy or some sort, or even wanted to be "The Guy" on the team? Can't even beat that D-league roster then we were in jeopardy.

I don't agree with giving them a pass either, given the extent that they collapsed.

But does Tatum = Herro + Oladipo? I think he's slightly more important

He also played 42 minutes in the game.  He was clearly hampered by injury, but not so much he couldn't grab 11 rebounds and dish out 4 assists all while generally taking care of the ball to the tune of just 2 turnovers.  obviously 5 of 13 isn't great, but it is also better than zilch.

Not saying they would've won because they came out bombing 3's that they just kept missing and Miami was on fire.

but It did change the whole game though. Tatum has averaged 26.7 ppg, 9.3 rebounds and 5.1 assists in 7 game 7's in is career on 47.4/47.9/80 and thats including his poor miami game 7...

not to mention it went from Tatum handling the ball to Jaylen Brown who couldn't dribble left all game and was a turnover machine.

[cman88]

C’s were one of the 4 most talented teams in the playoffs, alongside Denver, Phoenix and Milwaukee. Now, the Bucks got an injured Giannis. The Suns just came together mid-season. And Denver, well, they won it all. Nonetheless, talent wins in this league.

It isn’t disappointing that the C’s lost. It’s how they lost: bad offense compounded by poor effort on both ends. Their home record should’ve never been as poor as it was. Game 7 was the only time I’ll give the team a pass because Tatum got injured, and the team goes as Tatum goes.

Agree with this post, but I do want to clarify that a top four team finishing top four is a pretty decent end to the season, if not what we all hoped for.

I think Both are true. Brad said if we won just half of the home games we lost we are in the finals...and probably dealing with less injuries.

This celtics team dont have a talent problem.  its one of the deepest and most talented rosters in the league. It's why all the calls to "blow it up" or "trade brown" are just bad takes. we got to game 7 of the ECF and made the finals last year. this team is on the doorstep. you don't blow it up with 2 stars just coming into their primes. Its also why Milwaukee and Philly aren't going to "blow it up." In the NBA talent wins. and those 3 teams will be in the mix again next year. Miami got generationally hot from 3, and were well coached. When their undrafted roleplayers came back to earth from 3 against denver they got a gentlemans sweep...your don't blow up your team because the other team shot the best in at least the last 10 years on open 3's in the playoffs.

What they have is a mentality problem. losing games at home you should win, extending series you should close out, playing down to competition. an NBA team should not be coming out just expecting to win because they are at home or the other team is missing a player.

I mean i give them props for having the fortitude to fight back and win elimination games in milwaukee/philly and not give up when down 3-0 to Miami. but realistically they never should've been in those situations. and you can make the argument the wear and tear from all these extra games is what lead them to tiring out against Golden state, and the injuries/tiring out against Miami. Maybe Brogdon/Tatum don't get hurt if Atlanta/Philly are closed out earlier.

Now, i'm not sure what the answer is. Maybe it's as simple explanation as these guys are 25/26 and most players don't "figure it out" until they are 27-28. (lebron, curry, the list goes on.....). Maybe its the loss of the coaching staff. (although we did the same thing with Ime.)

[celts55]

My conclusions are pretty simple.
Joe did a terrible job coaching, except for 2 or 3 games in the finals when he actually called some time outs.
As stated here numerous times, Horford was awful on both sides of the ball, and Rob is an injury waiting to happen. Personally I would look to trade Smart for a big who can help. Why Smart? Because obviously they don’t care about defense, so I would keep Brogdon and White.
I keep hearing about how deep their bench is, but what does that matter if you only play 7 or occasionally 8 guys. Can’t believe Houser, Pritchard, or Moose could have hurt trying.
Game 7, Tatum gets hurt on first play. Brown decides he has to try to do it all by himself, and in the process has the worst game ever. Brogdon can’t play and no one else shows up. Celtics quit in the second half and go home